title: [Increased VEGFR-1 immunoreactivity in the choroid-scleral complex in hypercholesterolemia experimental model].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the choroid and sclera using hypercholesterolemia experimental model.
  
  
  METHODS
  New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: 8 rabbits (8 eyes), in the normal diet group (NG), were fed by a standard diet for 4 weeks; and 13 rabbits (13 eyes), in the hypercholesterolemic group (HG), were fed by a 1% cholesterol-enriched diet for 8 weeks. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and fasting blood glucose exams were performed at the initiation of the experiment and at the euthanasia time. After hypercholesterolemic group 8th week and NG 4th week, animals were euthanized and their eyes underwent immunohistochemical analysis with the RAM-11 and VEGFR-1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diet has induced a significant increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in HG when compared with NG (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in the RAM-11 and VEGFR-1 expressions in hypercholesterolemic group choroid and sclera in relation to NG (p<0,001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has revealed that the hypercholesterolemic diet in rabbits induces an increase in the macrophage concentration and immunoreactivity to VEGFR-1 in the choroid and sclera, resembling human age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Oftalmologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná - PUCPR - Curitiba (PR), Brasil. rjat@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Rogil José de Almeida
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Lucia de
authors.initials: Ld
authors.lastname: Noronha
authors.forename: Antonio Marcelo Barbante
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.forename: Regiane do Rocio de Almeida
authors.initials: Rdo R
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Isabela de Carvalho
authors.initials: Ide C
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zotz
authors.forename: Andréa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luchini
authors.forename: Conrado Roberto
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Hoffmann Filho
authors.forename: Dalton Bertolim
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Précoma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002829:Choroid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012590:Sclera / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1